Update: 2 dead, 6 injured after shooting at Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Salt Lake City

Two people are reported dead after a shooting at a Salt Lake City meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Salt Lake City Police Department on Thursday morning identified the two men who were killed as 38-year-old Sione Vatuvei and 46-year-old Vaea Tulikihihifo.

Three people are in critical condition and three other victims are in unknown condition, as they were taken to medical facilities by private parties, according to Salt Lake City police spokesperson Glen Mills late Wednesday.

Salt Lake City police chief Brian Redd said all of the victims are adults. He added that police do not believe this was a random incident, and that the suspect is still at large.

“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion,” Redd said.

Police were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. with reports of a shooting at the meetinghouse.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of the meetinghouse at 660 N. Redwood Road. A funeral was taking place inside the church, police said.

Sam Penrod, a spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, released the following statement on Wednesday night:

“We are aware of a serious incident that occurred outside a church meetinghouse at 660 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City tonight as a memorial service was being held in the chapel. The church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders,” he said.

“Until more information is available, all questions about this incident are being directed to the Salt Lake City Police Department. We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke to the press Wednesday night outside the church.

“Condolences to the families and the victims,” she said. “This should never have happened. This should never have happened outside a place of worship. It should not have happened at a celebration of life that was occurring inside of the church.”

Redd said they have detained several people in relation to the case, but none are suspects at this time.

A suspect vehicle was caught on camera, and police say they have multiple leads about suspects, and that the public continues to provide additional leads.

As of late Wednesday, police were still unsure if there was more than one shooter.

On the road outside the church there were dozens of emergency vehicles on scene with units responding from multiple agencies, and Redwood Road was closed between 500 North and 700 North in both directions as police investigated the incident.

Funeral attendee says they could hear shooting from inside

“The shots were fired outside of the meetinghouse, but you could definitely hear them inside,” Dom Fiefia, who was attending the funeral with his wife, told KSL. “It was pretty loud, especially inside, all you could hear was quietness. And with those shots, definitely it kind of shook the whole place up.”

Fiefia and his wife, along with around 200 other attendees, were kept inside while police set up a perimeter, KSL reported.

The FBI Salt Lake City office released a statement on X saying, “We are aware of the incident in Salt Lake City and offering assistance to our law enforcement partners.”

The Salt Lake City Council posted on X, “Our hearts are with the Rose Park community following this evening’s tragic shooting. @SLCPD is actively investigating and will share updates as information becomes available. We encourage residents to follow official sources for accurate and timely information.”

Utah Sen. Mike Lee also posted on X, “Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church. Please contact local law enforcement if you have any information about the perpetrators.”

Those with information about the shooting are encouraged to call police dispatch at 801-799-3000.

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This story will be updated.